American FactFinder is the Census Bureau's main census data dissemination tool for 2007, 2002 and 1997 Economic Census tables and maps, including access to Geography Quick Reports, Industry Quick Reports, and Data Sets.
Go to CenStats for quick access to building, trade, and county business databases.
The 1810 3rd decennial census was the first to include questions related to the economy. Data on 220 kinds of manufactured products were collected in 25 broad categories. Economic data collected in 1810 and 1820 were incomplete and the 1830 decennial census did not include economic questions. Manufacturing, mining, and fisheries data were collected with the 1840 census; retail trade, wholesale trade, construction industries, and many other sectors were added over the years. In 1902 a quinquennial (every 5 years) census cycle was begun but it wasn't until 1967 that the present schedule in years ending in 2 and 7 was established.
The 1930 Economic Census was the first to use the Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) to group industry data. The more detailed North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) replaced the SIC for most 1997 Economic Census reports.
1997 Economic Census: Bridge Between NAICS and SIC
1987 version SIC Manual search by keyword
WSU Libraries has an extensive collection of Economic Census reports in the federal documents collection on 3rd floor of the Holland Library building. For census material since 1976 search Griffin, the Libraries' catalog to find call numbers and links to online reports. For pre-1976 materials it will be necessary to identify titles and Superintendent of Documents call numbers. Ask a reference librarian to assist you in checking the shelf list or serial record for library holdings.
The 1997 Economic Census on CD-ROM is located in the Media Materials area (ground floor of Holland and Terrell Libraries).
CD-ROM 1F (a 3-disc set) includes complete geographic area, lines, size, and other subject series data for all sectors. CD-ROM 2D includes data sets not available in FactFinder: Comparative Statistics, the Bridge Between NAICS and SIC, data for Outlying Areas, and Minority- and Women-Owned Businesses. CD-ROM 3 presents ZIP Code Statistics, also not available in FactFinder.
The 1992 Economic Census was received in a mixture of paper, CD-ROM, fiche, and electronic formats. Search Griffin for titles and locations.
The economic census : two moments of truth, 1954 and 1997. / Hol Doc C 3.2:EC 7/14 online at http://www.census.gov/epcd/www/img/ec97x-tm.pdf
History of the [date] economic censuses (1982, 1987, 1992, 1997) / Hol Doc C 3.253/3: 1997 online at http://www.census.gov/prod/ec97/pol00-hec.pdf
Encyclopedia of the U.S. Census (see "Economic Census" entry in the encyclopedia) / Hol Ref HA 37.U55 C66 2000
North American Industry Classification System : United States, 1997 / Hol Ref Desk HF1042.5 N674 1998b